My loss (long)

[squall]

My cat was attacked by two loose dogs yesterday. Although I acknowledge it isn't the best thing anymore to have outside cats (she isn't, we let her out only on occasion), these dogs had escaped their yard numerous times in the past according to animal control who later picked them up. I was in the back yard and heard the noise. I got to her and shooed the dogs away. My cat Tabitha wasn’t moving at first, I thought she was very near death. She stirred but did not seem to be in a lot of pain. I picked her up once she recognized who I was and took her to the vet. She seemed to come alive at the vet, the doctor didn't find anything abnormal except a puncture showing bone on her right fron leg. She suspected there may be internal bleeding but could not see bruising or feel trauma, so I was allowed to take her home and my wife and I thought she was going to be okay, we were really relieved. We called animal control, they found the dogs and gave the owners tickets for the dogs. So it all sounds good.

It did not end that way. She went into shock hours later, something the vet warned us about. She was weak and cold, so we rushed her to an emergency clinic. She had a body temperature of 85 degrees. We had been too busy all day with school to watch over her too closely and I fear we found it too late. After paying 600 dollars for vet bills and faced with the prospect of a week long stay and thousands of dollars, we had to get her put to sleep. My wife cannot stop crying and I cannot stop crying, we can't even breathe it hurts so bad. She never hurt anybody and there was never a nicer cat. I feel very much at fault.

When I get over the shock of it all, I plan to take the dog owners to court, but I have no idea where to begin, I've never sued anybody before. I have kept all documents, receipts, and I have made detailed accounts of the incident and police reports. Beyond that, I don't know what to do next. Anybody have any experience with this stuff. This may not be the best place to look, but this has always been a place I could count on.

I am crushed with grief right now.

[Binky]

I am so sorry; there is nothing worse than the loss of a loved one, human or animal. Cats are just as much mans best friend as a dog can be. They have the best personalities and always know what to do to make you laugh when you need to smile!

I hope the people who are the owners of those two dogs realize what their carelessness has caused.

Once again, sorry for your loss, and I hope for all the best in your search for some justice.

[Banrion]

Depending on the total of all the vet bills, you should be able to at least be reimbursed for the vet bills through small claims court. Check the limit in your state. The only problem with small claims court is that you can get a judgement, but it is often difficult to get them to pay.

[sportsmom]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is a terrible thing to lose a pet, but please do not beat yourself up over it. This is not your fault, those dogs should have been restained more carefully if they have a habit of getting out.

I agree with Banrion about checking into small claims court. Hopefully you will be able to get the money back.

[PuckishOne]

More condolences here for the loss of your Tabitha. :(

Hopefully when you are finished grieving you will be able to find a way to get some measure of responsibility from the dogs' owners, as these are people who clearly don't deserve to keep animals. Good luck to you.

[draftermatt]

When you are able I'd call a local lawyer. It's going to be a lot of work getting them to admit fault, or look up what to do. Maybe there is a lawyer who will give some free or cheap advice.

Short of that call your local animal control/humane society. They should have a good idea of what to do.

[squall]

Well, here's an update. New information I just learned in the last twenty mintues. The owners of the dogs surrendered them to the animal shelter and are no longer in ownership of them. This could be interpreted as a means of trying to shed their involvement in the attack. I guess I won't be seeing the dogs around again. It is a step toward reconciliation, but I don't think it is enough. They made our lives miserable, so they could stand some of the same. Honestly, I would be happy if we even got half of the medical bills paid. I am still thinking of pursuing legal action. We'll wait and see.

[XCashier]

That's horrible what happened. Bad enough losing a pet, but this could have been prevented, if your neighbors had behaved responsibly. :mad: I hope you can get resolution in this.

RIP, Tabitha. :(

[Der Cute]

Oh, God...Squall.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Kitties somehow make an extra special place in our hearts. And on top of the clean laundry.

I hope things go well for you, any which way you decide.

Cute

[One-Fang]

I feel very much at fault.

No. NO! BAD Squall. Go sit in a corner.

You did everything you could. Your inattentiveness in not catching the shock earlier is because you thought she was okay, and you still have a LIFE to get on with. You can't sit and stare at your cat for 24 hours in case it goes into shock. You did check up on her. You found her like that and acted exactly right.

Guilt is a normal emotion, but let it be only that - an emotion. Acknowledge with your mind, while your heart still feels like crap, that you didn't do anything wrong.

Go for vet bills in a court somewhere, but don't go seeking vengeance. It's not very healthy for you to think that way. At least they did the responsible thing - when they were forced to realise they were not taking care of their pets properly, they surrendered them.

[squall]

An update to this long dead post. I decided a while back not to pursue any legal action against the dog owners. They lived in a Two bedroom shack of a house up the hill from me. Judging what I heard about them from animal control, they acted very defensively when given tickets. They looked trashy according to animal control. I have not met them in person, but they seemed like the type of people who would not only not pay the vet fees even with a small claims court order, but they seemed like the type who might try to confront us on our doorstep with threats or vandalism. My wife missed a few days of work over the loss. We got a new cat. A black cat that resembles the other one very much. Every black cat I've ever met has been very sweet and affectionate.

[strawbabies]

Every black cat I've ever met has been very sweet and affectionate.

Then you haven't met my future mother-in-law's kitten. He lured her downstairs by meowing one night, making her think something was wrong. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, he bit her and ran off into another part of the house. A short while later, he tried the same thing again. He's a mean kitty.

I'm glad to hear you got another cat, and am sorry for the loss of your first one. I can't stand people who don't control their pets.

[XCashier]

We got a new cat. A black cat that resembles the other one very much. Every black cat I've ever met has been very sweet and affectionate.
I'm glad you're doing better, and have a new four-legged friend. :) And black cats are very sweet; mine was.